Implementation consultant vs solutions consultant

The differences between implementation consultants and solutions consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an implementation consultant and a solutions consultant. Additionally, a solutions consultant has an average salary of $94,839, which is higher than the $80,195 average annual salary of an implementation consultant.

The top three skills for an implementation consultant include technical support, customer service and erp implementation. The most important skills for a solutions consultant are pre sales, sales process, and cloud.

Implementation consultant vs solutions consultant overview

	Implementation Consultant	Solutions Consultant
Yearly salary	$80,195	$94,839
Hourly rate	$38.56	$45.60
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	70,450	103,093
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

What does an implementation consultant do?

An implementation consultant is an individual who travels to various job sites to help clients with the installation of different software and hardware solutions. Implementation consultants must be knowledgeable of the software application so that they can conduct training sessions for internal and external customers. They develop system teaching aids such as training handbooks, demonstration models, and multimedia visual aids. Implementation consultants must also obtain technical certification, particularly on the specific software and hardware they install.

What does a solutions consultant do?

A solutions consultant is an individual who has an in-depth knowledge of technology that can help a company to overcome issues, increase sales, and have a better connection with their customers. Solutions consultants are responsible for heading the installment of customized software solutions and train dealers and customer sales engineers to administer the customized solution. They represent the company by attending tradeshows and events to demonstrate their company's technology. Solutions consultants must also ensure to demonstrate technical feasibility through beta tests plus trial programs.

Implementation consultant vs solutions consultant salary

Implementation consultants and solutions consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Implementation Consultant	Solutions Consultant
Average salary	$80,195	$94,839
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $108,000	Between $68,000 And $131,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Bruno, CA
Highest paying state	New York	California
Best paying company	McKinsey & Company Inc	Apple
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Technology

Differences between implementation consultant and solutions consultant education

There are a few differences between an implementation consultant and a solutions consultant in terms of educational background:

	Implementation Consultant	Solutions Consultant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Implementation consultant vs solutions consultant demographics

Here are the differences between implementation consultants' and solutions consultants' demographics:

	Implementation Consultant	Solutions Consultant
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 53.8% Female, 46.2%	Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 12.5% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 13.6% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between implementation consultant and solutions consultant duties and responsibilities

Implementation consultant example responsibilities.

Facilitate teams, working directly with healthcare materials managers and executives to achieve non-salary expense reduction.
Utilize extensive payroll and human resource knowledge to coordinate and manage multiple complex implementation projects simultaneously.
Leverage industry experience, negotiation skills and communication competency to engage stakeholders to accomplish a trading system upgrade and database conversion.
Design and written custom reports and product reports using SQL and iReport report designer.
Create and deliver virtual training programs to be deliver via webinar using WebEx technology.
Prioritize user feedback and issues after UAT.

Solutions consultant example responsibilities.

Manage relationships with existing and new clients, and master SalesForce.com.
Manage the RFP and technology solicitation process; prepare and submit proposals and recommendations to underwriting authorities.
Manage several SDLC phases for enterprise systems used by state government agencies to perform environmental and environmental management.
Maintain SalesForce CRM and forecast accurately.
Help Pre-Sales when they need additional staff.
Coordinate with PeopleSoft GSC for issues log for resolution with GSC.

Implementation consultant vs solutions consultant skills

Common implementation consultant skills

Technical Support, 11%
Customer Service, 5%
Erp Implementation, 4%
Implementation Process, 4%
Client Facing, 4%
Project Management, 4%

Common solutions consultant skills

Pre Sales, 7%
Sales Process, 6%
Cloud, 6%
Customer Satisfaction, 6%
Database, 5%
CRM, 5%

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Implementation Consultant
Implementation Consultant vs Solutions Consultant

Updated January 8, 2025

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